Results

WOMENS 2ND XI - 07/03/2020 VS WATTON 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 2nd XI 
DATE: 07/03/2020 
FIXTURE: Womens 2nd XI VS 07/03/2020 
HEADLINE: A Trip to the Seaside 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Watton HC 
RESULT: 5-1 Loss 
 
REPORT: 
Norwich City turned up with their hockey sticks but soon realised they would’ve been better equipped with bucket and spades as the pitch had a little more sand than expected. After settling into the match, City were then put under pressure when a slightly deflected ball near the edge of the D was deemed dangerous and a short corner was blown. The defence held strong and cleared any danger. With Lizzie Cheesman, Emily Francis and Rosie Ringer making some penetrating runs in the forward line the 2s were on top but against the run of play Watton took the lead from a crash ball into the D. Ellyn Roberts and her dad were both sent for a rest and the momentum shifted in Watton's favour and City found themselves further behind after another quick goal. Injuries to Helen Busfield and Sally Rose further impeded City as they had to reshuffle the troops and they found themselves 3:0 down at the half time whistle. 
 
Leigh-Ann’s team talk changed the attitude towards the game and City started the second half as the better team. Niamh Campbell and Kate Houldey held possession and distributed the ball confidently to their forwards. With City on top Rosie Ringer was unlucky to have a goal disallowed after a delightful reverse stick shot for the ball not having travelled the required 5m from a quick free hit near the edge of the D. City did manage to pull a goal back shortly afterwards when Leigh-Ann Worrall struck a thunderbolt past the helpless keeper. With time running out it was Rosie’s time to sit on the deckchair for 2 minutes and Watton capitalised with the extra player to score two quick goals to finish the scoring.  
 
POTM Niamh Campbell  

WOMENS 3RD XI - 07/03/2020 VS UEA 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 3rd XI 
DATE: 07/03/2020 
FIXTURE: Womens 3rd XI VS 07/03/2020 
HEADLINE: Not our day 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: UEA (away) 
RESULT: 2-4 (loss) 
 
REPORT: 
With the season rapidly coming to a close, and with promotion within their grasp, City 3s were feeling optimistic as they faced UEA 2s. 
 
With both youth and experience in the squad, City started confidently. Everything from the transfers around the back, the passing in midfield and shots on goal were all working well for City in the first half, which eventually led to sisters Olivia and Emily Greenaway stepping up to each score for City. Hosts UEA then managed to score just before half time, making it 1-2.  
 
Despite having their coaches on the sideline, City started to make basic errors and couldn’t extend their advantage. UEA capitalised on this and pulled one back to make it 2-2.  
 
The game was then swinging in UEA’s favour and they were descending on City in waves, eventually scoring another two to make it 4-2. 
 
Although not the result they had wanted, City played some lovely hockey during the match but basic errors cost them. There were plenty of positives, which City will take into their next match.  

WOMENS 6TH XI - 07/03/2020 VS LODDON 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 6th XI 
DATE: 07/03/2020 
FIXTURE: Womens 6th XI VS 07/03/2020 
HEADLINE: A much-needed point 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK LEAGUE DIVISION 2 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: nil-nil 
 
REPORT:This was an important game for City 6s with Loddon sitting below them in the league table. However, a huge number of unexpected injuries, illness and unavailability this week had left the usual line up seriously depleted for a game the team had hoped to win. Thankfully, several 7s players stepped in to help, despite some doubling up after playing a tough match beforehand. So with the bare 11 and one member playing despite still recovering from a nasty cold, City had to work out how to play as a unit despite the unfamiliar line up. The plan was to keep a clean sheet at least and aim for a point. It took a while for City to settle down and Loddon broke through into the D regularly, managing to work their 16s through and find a high player. Thankfully, City were able to mop up their attacks and begin to build an offence of their own with plenty of play in Loddon’s half. Rose Byrne, together with player of the match Sofia Hancy and Susan Matthews worked well together to patrol the midfield. Susan made some notable long passes across the forwards. City won several short corners and had lots of attacking play in the D but were unfortunately unable to find the net. Loddon upped their game in the second half and made lots of runs at City’s goal. However, working as a unit by now City kept them at bay and were pleased to take away a nil-nil draw and a much-needed point that will help keep them away from relegation. Shout out to all the players who stepped in to help today.  

MENS 2ND XI - 08/03/2020 VS HORNCASTLE 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 2nd XI 
DATE: 08/03/2020 
FIXTURE: Mens 2nd XI VS 08/03/2020 
HEADLINE: Thumping home win secures safety! 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH 
VENUE: Taverham - Sand 
RESULT: 4-1 Win 
 
REPORT: 
After yesterdays very unfortunate defeat at home to league leaders Harleston, City faced a must win home game against Horncastle to seal safety and inevitably relegate the travellers. City started well with Richard Silvester firing home within the first 5 minutes. City however stumbled a little giving the ball away cheaply to regularly however the important 2nd goal game when Tom Hindle deflected home a PC. 
 
City were a lot more clinical going into the second half, creating many more chances with Gill adding City's 3rd and fourth goals. The crossbar and a shin on the line prevented further goals for City as Horncastle did score a consolation goal when Ali Cooke decided he did want to save at his near post. FULL TIME 4-1 
 

MENS 2ND XI - 07/03/2020 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 2nd XI 
DATE: 07/03/2020 
FIXTURE: Mens 2nd XI VS 07/03/2020 
HEADLINE: With all the Odds against them City nearly pull off a miracle! 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH 
VENUE: Taverham - H20 
RESULT: 3-2 Loss 
 
REPORT: 
Playing with just a bare 11 against top of the league Harleston, who travelled with a 15 man squad and manager things looked against City from the start... And they got worse when keeper Elwes accidently kicked one into the goal and a bad pass from the City defence left him exposed for another meant City were 2-0 down before even starting.... However a great run from H Gill set up Silvester for a great deflection meant City went into the break only 2-1 down.  
 
City were defending very well with Bailey playing a great 2nd game of the day alongside Crichton, a very unfortunate (And Incorrect) penalty corner scored Harleston's third goal before Harry Gill scored to make it interesting once again. The game opened up with City tiring and then Fred A pulling a hamstring making things even harder for the boys in Yellow. A last minute PC for City came and went as they eventually lost 3-2 but what an effort with just 11, good luck Harleston next year in the league above! 

MENS 3RD XI - 07/03/2020 VS IPSWICH 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 07/03/2020 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 07/03/2020 
HEADLINE: Tough day despite City heroics 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Ipswich HC 
RESULT: Ipswich 2s 6 - 1 Norwich City3s 
 
REPORT: 
City were always going to be up against it with a scratch team but that did not stop them creating chances or competing to the very end.  
 
Adopting a defensive game plan City blunted the hosts attacks until a cruel bounce presented a simple opportunity. 1-0 became 2 and then 3 before City scored on the brink of half time thanks to Glenn Tobias poking in at the far post- great example of getting into the 5!! 
 
With City legs tiring, and despite sterling performances from all, a final score of 6-1 was probably fair.